2025 Explorer First Drive

[rmc523]

I couldn't find the Explorer thread, so here's a first drive of the 2025....they said the interior is much better.

 

2025 Ford Explorer First Drive Review: Much better inside, still good everywhere else - Autoblog

 

 

There’s been a much bigger overhaul to the Explorer’s interior for 2025, fixing our biggest gripes about a chintzy, unattractive cabin and making it considerably more competitive in the segment. The cockpit is inviting, which couldn’t exactly be said about most trims in the past. Gone are the seas of grainy black plastic, replaced with interesting design everywhere you look and soft-touch materials pretty much anywhere you rest your hands. It’s more lounge-like than before, with a bit of a home theater vibe to it. The speakers are hidden behind fabric across the dash in the style of a sound bar on either side of the two digital screens — one for infotainment and one serving as an instrument panel. Below the central screen (and a volume knob alongside a row of buttons), is a nice little shelf with room for storing two phones. That’s also where the wireless charger lives, if so equipped.

 

 

More at the link above.

[Bob Rosadini]

IMO..How to ruin a good looking vehicle...put a toothy GMC look alike grill on it🤔

[tbone]

3 hours ago, Bob Rosadini said:

IMO..How to ruin a good looking vehicle...put a toothy GMC look alike grill on it🤔

Not a huge fan of that grill either.  I personally loved the prior gen’s style.   It just got long in the tooth.  

[silvrsvt]

45 minutes ago, tbone said:

Not a huge fan of that grill either.  I personally loved the prior gen’s style.   It just got long in the tooth.  

 

There are a couple different variants of the grill also

[rmc523]

26 minutes ago, silvrsvt said:

 

There are a couple different variants of the grill also

 

For instance, the Platinum grille:

 

 

vs. the ST Line grille

 

 

I never liked the 2020-2024 grille/headlight interface, so I welcome the change on the new model, though I would have preferred for the outer edges to have tilted in slightly more as they move lower (creating more of a V shape, vs. the complete box look we see).

[DeluxeStang]

8 hours ago, Bob Rosadini said:

IMO..How to ruin a good looking vehicle...put a toothy GMC look alike grill on it🤔

It's not too bad. The 5th gen was clearly more attractive imo. I always hated the 6th gen front end. The way the headlights protruded awkwardly into the grille looked like shit. This has a large grille, but at least it's cleaned with better line flow. The rear end looks way more upscale imo. 

 

From best looking to worst

2016-19 

2025 -

2011-15

2020-24

[morgan20]

3 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

From best looking to worst

2016-19 

2025 -

2011-15

2020-24

 

Those generations of Ford Explorer are all anonymous blob unibody crossovers. The original Explorer is also the best looking

 

 

 

 

[Bob Rosadini]

17 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

Those generations of Ford Explorer are all anonymous blob unibody crossovers. The original Explorer is also the best looking

 

 

 

 

My late wife had 3 new Explorers.  When it came time to replace her 04 she did not want a new one-2013 as she said she couldn't see out of it (rear view)-so I said I'll look for a CPO 2010.  Found a 2010 Limited with 27,000 miles.  Corp lease-controls for rear entertainment controls still in plastic bags.  This  thing was loaded and the 3V 4.6 was a huge improvement over her 04 that was a 2V 4.6.

She loved that car-as it was getting close to 100,000 I  said "want a new one?"  She said no  way.  After I lost her to  covid, I sold it to a friend and did not have a dry eye as it went down the driveway.

[tbone]

8 hours ago, rmc523 said:

 

For instance, the Platinum grille:

 

 

vs. the ST Line grille

 

 

I never liked the 2020-2024 grille/headlight interface, so I welcome the change on the new model, though I would have preferred for the outer edges to have tilted in slightly more as they move lower (creating more of a V shape, vs. the complete box look we see).

I’m of the opposite opinion, as I liked the previous gen’s grill, however I don’t mind the new one on the ST.  I also agree with your point about the shape of the new grill.  
 

 

[tbone]

5 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

It's not too bad. The 5th gen was clearly more attractive imo. I always hated the 6th gen front end. The way the headlights protruded awkwardly into the grille looked like shit. This has a large grille, but at least it's cleaned with better line flow. The rear end looks way more upscale imo. 

 

From best looking to worst

2016-19 

2025 -

2011-15

2020-24

Funny how it is all in the eye of the beholder, as I would put the 20-24 at the top.  
 

Our 22 ST will likely be our last for a variety of reasons, a few of those are as follows:

 

- The exterior didn’t significantly change enough for what is considered to be a new generation and no change to the powertrain.
- I hate the style and magnetic color of the new ST wheels (Yes I know they can be changed but I didn’t want to have to do that)

- My wife wouldn’t mind going down to a two row SUV versus three, since the major kid hauling days are behind us. 

 

Both our 2020 and 2022 have been good vehicles for us, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the vehicles.  

[silvrsvt]

9 hours ago, Bob Rosadini said:

My late wife had 3 new Explorers.  When it came time to replace her 04 she did not want a new one-2013 as she said she couldn't see out of it (rear view)-so I said I'll look for a CPO 2010.  Found a 2010 Limited with 27,000 miles.  Corp lease-controls for rear entertainment controls still in plastic bags.  This  thing was loaded and the 3V 4.6 was a huge improvement over her 04 that was a 2V 4.6.

She loved that car-as it was getting close to 100,000 I  said "want a new one?"  She said no  way.  After I lost her to  covid, I sold it to a friend and did not have a dry eye as it went down the driveway.

 

So Sorry to hear about your wife...that is rough.

 

The 2002-2010 Generation Explorer and the 2005-2010 Mustang where the best looking and most timeless looking Ford products of that era. 

[akirby]

11 hours ago, morgan20 said:

The original Explorer is also the best looking

 

We owned a 93 and 97.  The 2020+ is by far the best looking to me.

[ZanatWork]

I always liked the 1995-2001 versions, because I knew the previous one had the ancient front end underneath.

I'm waiting to see the new grille in person, but I get the reason for the change: they want to differentiate from recent Explorers, which have been sadly known for being recall queens and mid-pack (at best) pretenders.

[rmc523]

13 hours ago, tbone said:

Funny how it is all in the eye of the beholder, as I would put the 20-24 at the top.  
 

Our 22 ST will likely be our last for a variety of reasons, a few of those are as follows:

 

- The exterior didn’t significantly change enough for what is considered to be a new generation and no change to the powertrain.
- I hate the style and magnetic color of the new ST wheels (Yes I know they can be changed but I didn’t want to have to do that)

- My wife wouldn’t mind going down to a two row SUV versus three, since the major kid hauling days are behind us. 

 

Both our 2020 and 2022 have been good vehicles for us, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the vehicles.  

 

This isn't considered a new generation, it's a refresh...

[tbone]

19 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

This isn't considered a new generation, it's a refresh...

True, however, two years too late. We are at a point where this should’ve been a next generation model or at least a year from a next gen model, which means we will basically be seeing this explorer for at least another two years.   From a refresh standpoint, it’s solid though.  
 

IMO, Ford needs to get back on track to the 5 to 6 year product cycle.  Gen 5 ran from 2011–2019 and Gen 6 seems to be trending in that direction as well.  These are very long from a generational perspective.  

 

[T-dubz]

14 hours ago, tbone said:

Funny how it is all in the eye of the beholder, as I would put the 20-24 at the top.  
 

Our 22 ST will likely be our last for a variety of reasons, a few of those are as follows:

 

- The exterior didn’t significantly change enough for what is considered to be a new generation and no change to the powertrain.
- I hate the style and magnetic color of the new ST wheels (Yes I know they can be changed but I didn’t want to have to do that)

- My wife wouldn’t mind going down to a two row SUV versus three, since the major kid hauling days are behind us. 

 

Both our 2020 and 2022 have been good vehicles for us, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the vehicles.  

ST should always come with black wheels period. The wheels on the 2025 ST look like flowers. I thought the last gen grille looked a bit weird in the beginning but then it grew on me and I ended up buying two of them and I prefer it to this new one. ST grille is definitely the best one. The grille shape is still a bit weird in my opinion. Interior is nice. Dumb trim names, dumb high subscription prices. Good update, I’ll wait for a full redesign before getting another explorer.

[Andrew L]

2006-2010 IMO looked great. 2002-2005 I wasn't crazy about the front end on it, too generic IMO same with the Expedition.

 

The Taurus/D4 based Explorers I am not crazy about either they look way too chunky.  The current I think looks great but the new 2025 one's grill I am not crazy about, I don't like how it gets wider towards the bottom or at least gives the visual impression it gets wider at the bottom.

 

Though for me personally I think the 06-10 Mountaineer looked the best out of all of them.  I loved Mercury's sharp headlights and grill during that era.  I also loved the clear taillights.  I just wish it got a more upscale interior vs just a different colored Explorer interior. 

Edited July 24 by Andrew L

[blazerdude20]

I was watching a review on the Explorer today. The reviewer had a big complaint with the climate controls in the screen. Apparently the rear climate display only shows a cool to warm scale, rather than temperature. So there is no way to discern what the temperature set point is for the rear climate zones. 
 

Wonder how Ford overlooked something so simple. Hope the fix that before the new Expedition debuts. 

[Andrew L]

16 minutes ago, blazerdude20 said:

I was watching a review on the Explorer today. The reviewer had a big complaint with the climate controls in the screen. Apparently the rear climate display only shows a cool to warm scale, rather than temperature. So there is no way to discern what the temperature set point is for the rear climate zones. 
 

Wonder how Ford overlooked something so simple. Hope the fix that before the new Expedition debuts. 

 

Hmm maybe a software update will fix that?

[tbone]

Hasn’t there been a number of polls that suggest customers prefer physical controls?  I hope they start listening to their customers.  I understand it is likely these types of changes were set in motion and have to be carried out but moving forward I hope they return to a balance of the two types.  

[tbone]

10 hours ago, Andrew L said:

2006-2010 IMO looked great. 2002-2005 I wasn't crazy about the front end on it, too generic IMO same with the Expedition.

 

The Taurus/D4 based Explorers I am not crazy about either they look way too chunky.  The current I think looks great but the new 2025 one's grill I am not crazy about, I don't like how it gets wider towards the bottom or at least gives the visual impression it gets wider at the bottom.

 

Though for me personally I think the 06-10 Mountaineer looked the best out of all of them.  I loved Mercury's sharp headlights and grill during that era.  I also loved the clear taillights.  I just wish it got a more upscale interior vs just a different colored Explorer interior. 

I concur with your assessment regarding the Mountaineer. We had a 2002, which was similar, that we really liked.  It certainly did not blend in back then.  

[akirby]

11 hours ago, tbone said:

Hasn’t there been a number of polls that suggest customers prefer physical controls?  I hope they start listening to their customers.  I understand it is likely these types of changes were set in motion and have to be carried out but moving forward I hope they return to a balance of the two types.  

Most would prefer physical controls but there is huge cost savings to be had eliminating them.  So it comes down to whether people hate them enough to affect sales or ATPs or if it’s just something annoying people complain about but still buy them.  I’m probably in the latter camp since I rarely change anything except temp and that’s not very often.  Provided the stuff you need on a daily basis is not buried in menus.

[rmc523]

18 hours ago, tbone said:

True, however, two years too late. We are at a point where this should’ve been a next generation model or at least a year from a next gen model, which means we will basically be seeing this explorer for at least another two years.   From a refresh standpoint, it’s solid though.  
 

IMO, Ford needs to get back on track to the 5 to 6 year product cycle.  Gen 5 ran from 2011–2019 and Gen 6 seems to be trending in that direction as well.  These are very long from a generational perspective.  

 

 

Agreed that they need to get on a shorter, more regular refresh cycle.  Ford has a history of delaying updates and then wondering why sales dry up, and then leaves the segment (not suggesting they'll leave Explorer's segment, just that some of their issues are self-inflicted).

 

18 hours ago, Andrew L said:

2006-2010 IMO looked great. 2002-2005 I wasn't crazy about the front end on it, too generic IMO same with the Expedition.

 

The Taurus/D4 based Explorers I am not crazy about either they look way too chunky.  The current I think looks great but the new 2025 one's grill I am not crazy about, I don't like how it gets wider towards the bottom or at least gives the visual impression it gets wider at the bottom.

 

Though for me personally I think the 06-10 Mountaineer looked the best out of all of them.  I loved Mercury's sharp headlights and grill during that era.  I also loved the clear taillights.  I just wish it got a more upscale interior vs just a different colored Explorer interior. 

 

I too preferred the Mountaineer.

 

1 hour ago, akirby said:

Most would prefer physical controls but there is huge cost savings to be had eliminating them.  So it comes down to whether people hate them enough to affect sales or ATPs or if it’s just something annoying people complain about but still buy them.  I’m probably in the latter camp since I rarely change anything except temp and that’s not very often.  Provided the stuff you need on a daily basis is not buried in menus.

 

I think if it's permanently docked on the bottom, it's not as big of a deal, vs if you have to dig through 3 menus just to adjust the temperature and/or fan.

[Andrew L]

7 hours ago, tbone said:

I concur with your assessment regarding the Mountaineer. We had a 2002, which was similar, that we really liked.  It certainly did not blend in back then.  

 

I remember when the 2002 debuted and I was shocked at how different it looked vs the Explorer and loved it.  I think the 2006 nip and tuck made it even better.  Part of me misses Mercury for that reason I really liked their styling over Ford products for a long time.  The first gen Milan I think still looks great vs the first gen Fusion which IMO hasn't aged as well.

[T-dubz]

I prefer physical controls too. It’s so much easier. But, I have noticed that the little ledge below the screen in the bronco really helps me out. I can put my hand on that while trying to push a button on the screen and it makes it a bit easier.